Steve Davis is hopeful that his new signings have provide timely lift ahead of Christmas

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis is hoping that his three loan signings before the closure of the emergency loan window will provide a significant lift to the Alex supporters heading into the busy Christmas and New Year period.

The club confirmed the signings of strikers Uche Ikpeazu and Nicky Ajose on Wednesday and followed that up by completing an initial loan deal for the Wycombe Wanderers defender Anthony Stewart.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “The signings are a reward for a lot of hard work we have put in over a number of months. It is a reward for our perseverance and patience.

“They are players we have known about for a while and wanted. We would have liked to have got them in earlier or even in the summer, but they simply weren’t available then.

“Over time their circumstances change. They are not involved or the clubs are willing to let them go out and play some games. That is why everything tends to happen at the last minute.

“The players will have options and that can take it through to the final day and Alison (Bowler) has been busy right up to the end getting things over the line for us. 

“I am obviously pleased to have got the forwards in and hopefully they will give us more of a goal threat up there. We know Uche from his time with us and Nicky is a proven goalscorer at this level.

“Anthony is one for the longer term and we are pleased to have him with us. I think having new faces in has given everyone a lift. It has increased the competition for places and the training has been really lively since they arrived. Our own players know they have to perform.

The boss added: “I also hope it has given our supporters a big lift. They deserve a lift as well after the start we had and hopefully the Christmas and New Year can see us pick up some more points.”